Paige: Super Bowl win would make Manning king of QBs

By Woody Paige, The Denver Post

Posted:
01/26/2014 06:07:52 PM EST

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) bumps fists with strong safety Mike Adams (20) after beating the Oakland Raiders 37-21 in an NFL football game in Denver in September of 2013. Many thought his career was over at 37, with four surgical scars on his neck to match the four MVP awards in his trophy case, but a year later Denver's quarterback has led the Broncos to the Super Bowl and is in line for his fifth MVP award. (Jack Dempsey/AP)

With a victory in the Super Bowl, Peyton no longer is The Manning Who Would Be King.

If Manning and the Broncos win, No. 18, all things considered, will be the No. 1 quarterback in the history of the NFL.

The argument should end.

Five months ago, during training camp, I point-blank asked Manning to respond to the characterization that he could be the greatest regular-season quarterback of all time. Even though he chuckled, he knew the assertion wasn't a compliment. “Everyone can have an opinion,” he said with a rare hint of defiance. “I have my own.”

I then asked about his legacy. As he always does after winning a coin toss, Peyton deferred.

A few days later, Peyton began the most spectacular regular season a quarterback has produced.

The “regular season” scarlet imprint can be removed forever next Sunday with a victory in the Super Bowl.

It has been debated, discussed, declared, and determined, by most, that Manning couldn't be the king.

Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw own four Super Bowl title rings. Tom Brady had the advantage in Super Bowls and in games played against Manning, and he broke Peyton's touchdown record. Brett Favre had the most victories; Dan Marino had the arm; John Elway had the comebacks, the natural talent and the two Super Bowl titles; Johnny Unitas had the legend. Peyton's younger brother had two championships.

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So, how could Peyton Manning be the best and above the rest?

In the NBA, Bill Russell finished with the most championships. Was he the greatest? No. Michael Jordan is the king ... because he is.

Wayne Gretzky was nicknamed “The Great One.” Was he the greatest? Yes, we all know that Gretzky was the king ... because he is.

What about baseball? Barry Bonds has been dismissed from the discussion of greatest ever because of suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs. Hank Aaron hit more home runs, legitimately, than anybody else. Babe Ruth saved the game from ruin, made baseball the national pastime and won four World Series. Ted Williams was the game's pre-eminent hitter. Joe was DiMaggio. But, if you do the eye examination, although he didn't have the numbers or the titles, Willie Mays was the king ... because he is.

So, in football, Jim Brown was the paramount running back, and Jerry Rice was the premier wide receiver. But quarterback is the most important position in sports.

Here's what Manning has accomplished:

At age 37, after recovering from four neck surgeries (and a risky surgical procedure he doesn't talk about), and after coming to a new team and a new town, he has won 28 of 35 games ... and set every season passing record in the league's annals.

He will earn an unparalleled fifth NFL MVP award this week. He has been selected to more Pro Bowls (13) than any other quarterback. He has won the second-most games of any quarterback in league history. In 13 of 15 seasons he has been to the postseason, won division titles and finished with double-digit victories. He has the highest number of game-winning drives. He holds or shares 55 regular-season and postseason records. He is the smartest quarterback and the hardest-working man in football.

He is, alas, 1-1 in Super Bowls.

Because of Peyton, and for the first time since Father Flanagan opened Boys Town in 1917, Omaha is famous.

But, even more significant, Manning has dramatically changed and improved the NFL.

His visionary version of the no-huddle, high-octane, hurry-up-and-wait offense has forced and fostered altered philosophies of coaches, defenses and quarterbacks in professional, college and high school football. Watch how Brady points at a middle linebacker. See a college quarterback back away from the line and audible to another play. See a high school quarterback try to emulate Peyton. Laugh when the Chargers jump offside five times in a playoff game because of Manning's hard count, and contemplate how defenses disguise and switch schemes. No other quarterback has influenced the game as much as Manning does.

He won't win the most postseason games and Super Bowls. He probably won't pass Favre in victories. He never had the strongest arm, or the most mobility.

But, you know what? Beat Seattle, and he will be King Peyton The First.

Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Willie Mays and Peyton Manning belong on sports' Mount Rushmore ... because they are the four kings.

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